1. Your kids don’t have to be “school age” to start learning to read.
2. Whether you ultimately homeschool your kids or not, you are better equipped than anyone to begin teaching your kids to read.

I’m, like, soooo radical. Yeah, that’s me. Radical Ree.

When I first began homeschooling over five years ago (has it been that long? My Lord.) I bought a Phonics program that was delivered to my house in a 500-pound (or so it felt) box. The program had a huge daily chart, games, toys, incentives, bells, whistles, , a set of fifteen music CD’s, and about fifty accompanying readers, all color coded according to how far along the child was on the chart.

I sold it two months later.

As fun and gimmicky as some of these ultra-complicated learn-to-read programs are, I’ve come to believe they’re absolutely unnecessary. And in some cases, I think they can cause parents to become discouraged or flustered and think they’ve got to be rocket scientists in order to teach their young children what is actually one of the most natural things a parent can teach his child: the skill of reading.

The first 26 lessons of the book are very simple “hear-see-and-say-after-me” exercises. You can take as little or as much time teaching this section as you need until your kid masters each letter and sound.

What I love about the book is that the lessons are short, simple, and totally scripted. The point of this is not that you necessarily have to follow the text word-for-word, but that you have a little bit of a framework for each lesson. For parents just starting out teaching their kids, it provides a helpful boost of confidence.

As the book progresses, it covers a heck of a lot of ground.

And you’d be surprised by how early kids can grasp this stuff.

There are no accompanying bells, whistles, charts, music CD’s, or color-coded readers. But it is available with a spiral binding, which is a real thrill to homeschooling freaks like me.

It doesn’t take much to thrill me these days.

The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading is available at Peace Hill Press, Amazon.com, and other online book retailers. And as is the case with many products I feature on PW Homeschooling, it’s not just for homeschoolers. You can begin teaching the early lessons to your children well before they begin school, or can supplement their education once they begin school. It’s a simple, easy-to-follow primer that I’d recommend with every ounce of my pancreas.

Tomorrow on PW Homeschooling! Your Pancreas and You: A Study in Vital Organs.

178 Comments

I completely agree that kids don’t have to be a certain age and that earlier is better when teaching them to read. I know that I grew up reading from a young age and am so grateful for the role it’s played in my life. Great post!

kimnberly On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:32 am

Thanks for the info! I will definitely be ordering this for my five year old little girl : )

3

Anonymous On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:41 am

I taught my four year old how to read using “Teaching Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.” She was a solid second grade reader by the time she was done, and now at age 8, she is reading 7th grade books… So, I agree, your child doesn’t have to be a certain grade/age to learn to read!

I’ve never heard of your book, Ree, but it sure sounds similar to the one we used! Thanks for the great post!

This is also awesome for kids who have trouble reading in school. It is very likely that they didn’t learn or master their phonics skills, if they were taught phonics at all, and they need it to correct their reading. My daughter was taught by the sight word method and we used this to correct many problems with her reading. Yeah for the “Well-Trained Mind”!

5

Bibliohistoria On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:47 am

To a 6 year old kid, that teachers guide is boring. Why dont you just read them stories at bedtime? I have been reading to my son at bedtime since he was 18 months old. The story books are far more interesting and relevant than any “how to” guide.

6

Ali On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:49 am

I agree with your radical statements. When I was about four or five, my mom taught me how to read with Children’s books. We didn’t use any kind of curriculum. I guess I just really wanted to learn. Unfortunately, when I entered into the public school I was bored to tears during reading lessons. Currently, I’m a homeschooled senior.

Another great, easy program is “Teach You Child To Read in 100 Easy lessons.” It’s a page a day. I recommend it to a lot of parents of ‘schooled’ children who are lagging in reading in traditional schools.

Cheryl On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:52 am

What a great book! 27 years ago when I had my first child, we began reading to her every day and continued for years and years. Additionally, I taught her to read before “school age” using the same methods as in your book—except I had no book, just a basic understanding of phonics. She, and my other 2 daughters who were taught the same way, are still voracious readers and love talking about all the books that we read aloud as a family over the years! It is terrific that so many guides are available now. Thanks, Ree!

I have used this with my two literate children, and plan to use it for the next three. It is so elegant in its simplicity!

12

Natalie On Tuesday, January 13 at 7:56 am

Yeeeessss…. I do agree with your RADICAL statements, but on the other hand I do feel there’s quite a rush these days to getting your kid to read as early as s/he possibly can. Frankly, in the long run, who cares if they read by 5 or by 7? I’ve been reading to my son since before he was born, but I just don’t push the read-by-yourself on him. And at 6 he is now picking up on phonics extremely fast, and does great in class, and LOVES to read everything around him.
Not trying to knock anything here, just pointing out that there’s no race to see who can have the earliest-reading child, either. That said, I am glad that you have such an awesome resource to recommend for whenever parents feel their kid is ready to read!

I used Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt. It is very similar. Excellent book.
farmnwife

18

stillteachingfirstgrade On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:11 am

Ree – Hats off to you for all the time you are devoting to teaching your children. I homeschooled my children and they are now on the launch pad to the real world. I did it b/c I wanted to avoid all the junk in school and having to unteach/reteach what I wanted them to know academic and otherwise! Now I teach first grade and am seeing so many parents who are working and spending so few hours a day with their kids. By keeping them at home you are giving them confidence and they will know who they are – and then the real world won’t be able to get in and they will have the tools to fight it. Life lessons are as important as academics. They will learn to deal with the world as you do. Isn’t it funny how we put kids in school to “socialize” them and it ends up being our children are learning values from other children just as immature as they are! I just gave you a pat on the back – and they are few and far between when you homeschool. Hardest thing I ever did – but the best thing I ever did.

19

Rhonda On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:14 am

This is an excellent resource. I agree with you on MOST things and I love you, but be aware that their are some children that can be harmed by starting to read too early. Some kids just haven’t developed the proper sensory integration and ‘forcing’ them to read early can actually do more harm than good. But of course, if it comes easy to them and they are showing an interest in learning to read then by all means, start gently teaching them to read. Some kids really need to wait until 7 or later to start. Usually those kids will pick it up pretty fast though. Have a BLESSED day.

20

mommy to 6 angels On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:16 am

We use this book. my 6 yo is currently using it. She takes a little bit longer than the other kids, but it is broken down into parts that she can easily handle.

We have always read to them (and still do) but she loved it more than any of them and can hardly wait to start reading on her own.

Right there with you Ree!
We also bought the crazy phonics program with a whole bunch of crud that we never used! It didn’t work very well with my kids either. My older ones eventually learned to read with something I pieced together. We are now working our way through this book with my 5yr old wiggle worm of a son who is too smart for his own good! I really love the way it is broken down – it is an EXCELLENT book!

We use this, too. As far as pushing kids who aren’t ready, several times the book says, “If they aren’t getting it, put the book away for a few months. Read, play word games, etc. Try again later to see if they’re ready.” It’s not “An Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Making a Child Prodigy.”

23

Kathy On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:23 am

Our home schooling family also uses a simple approach to reading as soon as a child shows interest. Short periods each day when they are eager. In addition, we read lots and lots of books. I had one very eager learner beg to learn to read at age two and was reading at three-I am not kidding. Now, I am currently teaching our 5 yo daughter and she is eagerly soaking up the lessons and proud to be calling herself a reader. i read to all of my children out loud each day for as long as they want just about. It’s so enjoyable and gives me a chance to sit. We also have family read aloud time at night with exciting stories that cater to the older ones in the family. The younger children usually color and play while we read, but at least they learn that reading is valuable and exciting.

Keep up the good work with your children. Every parent should consider some type of phonics program to use at home. Ten minutes a day helps the child for life.

24

Jean Myers On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:28 am

Ree, I’m a grandmother, so my children are grown and now I get to experience watching my grandchildren learn to read. I must have 8 different phonics and reading programs on my shelf, just because I love them. Yes, I know, you only need one, but not me, I “need” them all! When my son was 5, I was checking out a private Christian school for him to start the following school year. Their reading program was phenomenal, but their K was all day. I was not ready to put my son in school all day and he wasn’t ready for it either, but I thought, “oh my word, he’ll never make it through 1st grade if I don’t start him in K here.” The very wise principal told me that I could teach my son how to read over the summer and he would be fine in their first grade. He told me what materials to buy (The Sound Way to Easy Reading) and told me to be consistent and I could do it. Oh my! What a journey that was for me. I will forever be grateful to that principal for instilling in me the desire to do something I never, ever would have thought of on my own. My daughter was 3 at the time and while I didn’t “force” her to learn with us, she sat at the same table and she picked it up as my son did. She didn’t really learn to read though until the following year when she and I had our own sessions together while her brother was in school. They both turned out to be avid readers from the time they were in 1st and 2nd grade to this very day. And I was hooked on helping young children learn to read! I don’t have Jessie Wise’s program……mmmmmmm, maybe I need to look into that?!

Thanks for all you do to inspire us, Ree, in every area of the home…..except laundry!!!!

25

Selena On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:29 am

Awesome…thanks for the suggestion. I’ve been teaching my 4 1/2 year old to read for the last year or so. She can read short simple books but I can’t seem to get much further with her. This might be just what I need as a tool. My goal is to have her reading well by the time she starts K in the fall.

We started homeschooling in 1st grade…so reading was not an issue. But I loved using First Language lessons. It was so nice to have a scripted lesson – and one where I didn’t have to do any thinking or planning…

27

Rachel On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:33 am

I have been using this book for my five year old and it is awesome. I enjoy the simplicity and she doesn’t get distracted by graphics that so many other phonics programs have.

28

Mandi in OK On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:34 am

this is wonderful. Why do people think intimidating kits and huge boxes of stuff will ever end up being used? Simplicity is so much better. And less frustrating. And easier to find.
And I am much more interested in Your Spleen and You.

29

ReadMoreMom On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:36 am

While I am all for phonics instruction, there are some children who must learn reading in other ways. My fourth child (of six) had endured five years of (mostly) patient phonics instruction that had worked quickly for each of his three older siblings. Child #4 still couldn’t read at age 10.
I abandoned ALL reading instruction and gave him the Tolkien trilogy and the audiotapes of the books. I told him to follow along and see if he could figure reading out on his own. He was also motivated because we told him he could see the movies after he finished the books. He really wanted to see the movies because the older sibs were watching them. It took him about 6 months, but at the end of the trilogy, he was reading. He is 15 now and had all A’s last semester, his first in a public high school. He still cannot spell.
It was a desperation move but turned out to be a godsend of an idea. For those who encounter frustration with phonics (and that will be the minority of children), the moms need to read Ruth Beechick’s Language Wars and Other Writings for Home Schoolers.

30

Stefani M. On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:37 am

I love Starfall.com. My 3-1/2 year old can navigate the site herself and in “playing Starfall” she can now read simple AND more complex words (like jungle and scooter). It’s something she doesn’t have to feel self-conscious about, because that seemed to be the hurdle to learning to read… she wanted to read and absorb what I was trying to teach her (informally), but it was better for her to play by herself and make mistakes without feeling self-conscious (she’s a perfectionist like me). Now I’m looking for a math site like Starfall.

31

Roxanne On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:38 am

What a timely post.

We’ve been teaching our very eager 2.5 year old at home. I think I bought the same huge phonics program as you. Hubby & I have been looking at all the charts and color coding for two weeks making our eyes spin. I definitely think we need a much simpler guide for our tot.

Thanks for the idea.

32

Anonymous On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:40 am

This looks great. I can understand why you sold the previous set.

Our boys simply got read to a lot from babyhood/toddlerhood on. They seemed to grasp reading especially well, and went on to be ahead for their grade in reading level. It didn’t hurt any that I’m a book nut, and had plenty of books on hand for them to read by themselves later.

33

Rhonda in Oklahoma On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:41 am

Love this book! Our oldest was ready to start reading before she was allowed to go to school. I found this book and we’ve been homeschooling every since. The rhymes are fun, the girls still sing them. The ability to read Bob Books after a few lessons gave them great confidence. The lack of glitz and stuff made schooling easier. Our gradeK was a combo of this book an just a couple books from Rod and Staff.

Makes me stop and think why I am doing what I am now for school (online virtual academy.) I love the curriculum, but the fuss that goes with it is unbelievable. If there were not an assesment with every tiny thing and ones just for review, emails from the “school”, logging hours, scantron testing, and massive amounts of stuff shipped into my home that I do not need…well, then I think I would like it much more. Perhaps my goal for this year should be to locate an afforable (read “almost free”) curriculum that is quality but not so bogged down. Like this book, but for 3rd grade and on! Can you tell I’m really needing a change in how school is done?

I am not sure about the reading part and I don’t homeschool, although the idea intrigues me. But regarding the pancreas, I’ve got that down pat. My brain pretends to be a pancreas for my daughter 24/7/365. So, if you need any help in teaching that upcoming lesson, just let me know.

Have a blessed day!!

37

Bobbi On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:54 am

Thanks for the resource Ree. I’ve been working with my youngest who is 3 since he wants to go to school like his brother and sister.

Do you have any suggestions for home to help stregthen my 10 year old son’s math skills?

38

Cynthia On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:54 am

Wow. I am continuing to read all of your posts and I am still in the year 2006. At first, I was drawn mainly to your photography posts, along with your sense of humor, good writing, and fun to read stories! Interesting thing is, everything you write about is what I am focusing on right now: photography, being a good mom (and I was just wondering about a good way to teach my daughter to read-she seems ready), food (of course!) – and wanting to find new recipes, horses (my daughter’s main love and a love of mine coming back to my life), and just plain old fun and humor! I love reading about your life. It is so different from mine. Thanks so much for everything.

Glad I’m not the only one who hasn’t found educational bliss in those big package deals. I hs my 5 year old and we’ve been to a few hs conventions…and nothing I saw in the various “teaching reading kits” inspired me to part with $100+.
So aside from taking John Holt’s advice to heart and teaching my child a love for reading, I put together a reading program that is made up of lots of things from here and there. Phonics workbooks, sites like StarFall, and basic ingenuity (like playing treasure hunt games with flash cards…where I right words such as “wall” “door” “table” etc, on 2 cards – tape one somewhere on said item in the house, then give her the other to search for it’s match. Once she recognizes the word and is able to find the item very quickly, I reverse it, where she is given the cards and has to hide them on the right item and I have to find the matches!)

Homeschooling is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done…but so worth it! Keep up the hs posts Ree, I’ll be checking this book out

40

Heidi R On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:56 am

The curriculum sounds great for homeschooling. But as for supplementing your child’s education when they are already are attending a day school can get tricky. Keep in mind that there are many ways to teach children to read and this curriculum might not jive with the school’s and therefore may frustrate your child when learning 2 different ways(not to mention your child’s teacher). Also as a former teacher I had a parent that continually pushed her child to work constantly at school work. This resulted in a conatant struggle to keep him working in school. He already hated school as a 1st grader!

41

Christine On Tuesday, January 13 at 8:59 am

My pre-K (homeschooled) daughter learned to read from the Bob Books (talk about a simple, non-thrilling way to introduce reading!) But I may check out this book for my 2 younger ones when they’re ready to start this path. Love your Homeschooling section BTW – Thank you for having it on your blog!

Ree ~ Thank you for posting about this today…I have noticed latly that my grandson (5 yrs old) seems to be struggling with his reading…don’t know if its a phase or what, because he has been doing so well…right up until Christmas break…now he does not want anything to do with reading….. I have been seeking something to help him at home with and this is it!!!

Thanks for this book…. I went to ebay and bought it right away … only 6.95! I am currently teaching my 5 year old how to read with phonics and though she is doing a great job it was a ’500 lb’ kit with all the extras … I prefer it simple!

44

sk8ermom3 On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:14 am

“Gail is a cute maid”???
sorry but that just makes me giggle, and hearing a small child sound it out would send me into hysterics. Are there more useful phrases for the long “a” sound like that in the book?
“Gail, the cute maid paid the bills”
“Gail the cute maid let out a wail!”
“Oh no”, said Gail. ” I fear my account will fail!!”
Stop me….

45

Patty W On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:18 am

LOL, on tomorrows lesson!

Sometimes simple is better!

46

Laura in the Burbs On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:20 am

So Ree – tell me – would you reccomend this book for the parents of a child who is struggling with reading? My son is 6 and is really challenged by reading in school. I’d love something to help him with other than the stuff we’re already doing – I’d love your throughts on if it’s something that would help with a child who is struggling.

~Laura

47

Southern Gal in SC On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:21 am

Looks great and sounds like the “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” approach. I have that one (used for $1), but I always run back to my tried and true ABeka phonics for teaching the basics. I’m of the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mindset….or rather my husband is of that mindset.

48

Shawna On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:21 am

I own the Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, but never really took to it. I used Hooked on Phonics with my daughter and that really gave us a great routine and covered so much. I also recommend the “Bob Books”. They are fabulous and I would be curious to know if you use those?

Also, I agree with a previous poster that said children will be “behind” if they aren’t taught the basics before kindergarten. I work in special education in an elementary school and this is so true.

49

Anonymous On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:24 am

It looks similar to the book I used with my daughters, “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” (and I see others have used the same book). I’m not a homeschooler, but my girls loved the extra attention and they love to learn. I think it is very important for learning to be fun and a “normal” part of everyday life. After all, don’t we all learn new things constantly? Learning isn’t just for classrooms!

It really is amazing how much children learn just by being read to from babyhood on up.

Ah, yes, there is something exciting about spiral bound books!

51

sk8ermom3 On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:25 am

OMG, I was laughing so hard about Gail being cute I totally missed the “plain belt on her thin waist”. I may have to excuse myself for a sec…. There. Now I’m fine.
Is there a followup on Gails belt and matching pumps too? What about a fine hat? No wait, it would have to be a plaid bag… Why can I not stop laughing???
Sorry- I totally support the homeschooling effort and the more simple the better, I just have a keen sense of the ridiculous….no offense meant.

Thanks for the review – I didn’t know they had put out a reading/phonics book. Where was I hiding? I’ve always enjoyed their other offerings (SOTW, WTM, FLL). I may look into OPG for some remediation.

We used similar programs with my dd, but they just didn’t take with her (of course, neither did the flashier ones). She learned all of the phonics rules just fine, but was unable to apply that knowledge to reading. Five years into learning to read, and she was still hung up on trying to sound out each individual sound. With the struggle we’ve had, I’ve always been somewhat offended by the folks who say that you just need to read with your kids and provide a print-rich environment. We’ve read to our kids since they were infants, taken weekly trips to the library, take “sound walks” and letter walks in our neighborhood, etc. Some kids are just going to struggle with reading until it clicks.

Same family, different kid – my ds was sounding out words on his own at age 3. It’s great to have a phenomenal resource for teaching reading, but kids come with their own strengths and weaknesses as well.

GREAT post! I have been searching for a more simple approach to teaching my daughter phonics/reading and this is PERFECT! I can’t thank you enough for sharing this one! We have tried several but this looks exactly like what we need!

I also want to thank you for your online resources. My son does sooo much better when he gets to do some “assignments” on the computer. The resources you share there have helped us a lot also!

THANK YOU!

57

Inna On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:37 am

Ha! We actually use THAT Phonics program and we love it. My kids love the songs and books and all those gimmicks.

Before we tried the “Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons” and were bored to tears.

That’s the beauty of homeschooling – finding what works for you and your kids.

58

Alecia On Tuesday, January 13 at 9:55 am

thank you so much for introducing me to this book because im one of those parents who are trying to teach my kids to read at an early age and im getting discouraged because all the expensive stuff out there supposedly should teach my kids to read quickly is not working, my method is not working, so im going to order this book and hopefully it will do the trick. thank you p widdy for you wisdom and encouragement.

I raised my kids on “100 Easy Lessons”, and I’m almost sorry they all know how to read… I those days of “Sam and Pat run fast.” I love Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise too… can’t go wrong with their materials!

Ree I just *LOVE* your home schooling section on the website. More times than not I hop on out to Amazon and buy what you suggest. We are really loving The Story of the World! The format that series is in has inspired me to take those tools to other subjects and has really enriched our learning this year! I don’t know how I would have gotten this far in my first year home schooling without your help and suggestions!

Yay! This gives me confidence. I actually planned to sit down with my almost-4 year old and use the book that #3 commented about. I’m also going to have my almost-6 year old go through it with us this summer and see if it helps improve his reading skills. My thought is that the faster they start reading well, the easier homeschooling will be with lots of kids to home school. Somebody please tell me that I’m right!!

We use Phonics Pathways in conjunction with Primary Phonics Readers, which I really only use because my Mom had them and gave them to us and the kids like a little bit of plot during their reading lessons.

Phonics Pathways is good and I have successfully taught 2.1 children to read with it (the .1 because one is just barely starting to read.) I don’t love PP though. I have contemplated switching to TOPGTTR. I should probably hit the WTM sale and swap board and see if anyone has a used copy.

I really like First language lessons for the reasons you submit here. Those Wises/Wise Bauers/Buffingtons… they’s good people. :^D

63

Jen On Tuesday, January 13 at 10:05 am

How perfect! I have been mulling around the idea of trying to teach my four year old to read, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. This is just what I was looking for! Thanks for the tip.

Crystal On Tuesday, January 13 at 10:12 am

hehe, seeing Radical Ree brought back a memory of a guy we met who called himself Rad Chad. My sis-in-law who was then single was “set up” with him and a group of us were all going to a club. He kept telling how Radical he was and for us to all just wait to see him in action. “They don’t call me Rad Chad for nothing”, he repeated over and over. We got to the club and he sat at the table the whole night.

Anyway, with my now 7 year old son, I made sure he knew all the sounds of the alphabet, he played with the Leap Frog fridge phonics a lot. And then one day I walked in the den while he was playing with a magna doodle and he was sitting there sounding out words to himself and spelling them on the magna doodle. He’s been reading ever since.

I have this too! I’ve been using it with my son and I LOVE it. He’s the baby, #4, and this is the best reading program I use. I cannot say enough about how EASY and WONDERFUL this book is. When we hit a wall, we closed the book and waited a few weeks. I discovered that Jessie Wise recommends that (after the fact that I took a break). When we picked it back up, he was ready to go. I LOVE the simplicity of it all.

You should also check out the First Language Lessons she writes. It kicks booty too!

Wow- I had been looking for ways to teach my 2 year old. While I won’t push her, she seems ready to learn above and beyond what is considered “norm”. Thanks for the advice and the tip! I will buy it today!

My problem is getting my 8 year to appreciate/like reading. He absolutely hates it. I just can’t comprehend it (as I grew up in a reading household).

69

Christie On Tuesday, January 13 at 10:29 am

Ree,

I am soaking up your homeschooling section. My daughters are 5 and will go to kindergarten this year. But after that we plan to travel and homeschool as we travel about the world.

Your posts are very helpful.

70

Anniebanannie On Tuesday, January 13 at 10:31 am

Thank you so much! I have really been stressing about my almost 5 year old starting school this next fall. I have been trying to help her get ready but I feel a little lost. I think this will help so much! Thank you mucho mucho!

Or you could just let them pick it up on their own when they are interested and ready.

7 seems to be the age when kids naturally start reading.

My daughter likes to play with our computer so when she was around 2 I let her play on http://www.starfall.com. Oh and I read to her. She picked up the letters and their sounds straight away and now she’s starting to read (she’s 3). No pressure, no direction. She sees me reading wants to read herself and so she’s teaching herself. Reading to them for enjoyment is the most important thing you can do.

My oldest daughter is only 9 months. We’ll see where her interests take her. There’s no reason for her to be able to read for long while yet so I won’t be doing anything to push her there.

72

Lauren On Tuesday, January 13 at 10:37 am

My two year old loves Leap Frog DVDs and has already learned his letters and some sounds. This looks great for kids that can sit down, though. Thanks for the posts!

This book worked well for our three, too. I just waited until they showed interest in reading (different age for each of them – no big deal!) and used this at the pace they learned. Very simple, straightforward and easy!

That’s awesome! I’ve been wanting to find a good book because I’m one of the silly parents who is totally wigged out about messing my kids up for life if I can’t teach them to read. Now I can mess them up in another area!
My son is almost 4 and is very interested in learning to read. (he’s one of those strange kids that eats fruit and veggies for snacks too!) I don’t think I had any interest in “school stuff” until…well, at 30 I still am not interested!
Thank you!

Neat. I’ll have to add this to my SchoolDays Store for my readers – (get it? “readers?”) Anyway, I’ve been pretty lucky. I taught Sarah (now almost 15) and Matthew (12) to read by the time they were 3. They were reading small books by then. Glen (9) – well, it’s weird, I never taught him to read at all. He was reading everything before he was 4 years old and reads at least one chapter book a month now. I’m talkin’ BIG chapter books – like Hardy boys and Harry Potter. Go figure. But, when I was teaching my kids, I used flash cards, taught them grammar rules, and the rest came naturally.

HI Ree! Thanks for recommending this… My littlest is 4 and she is so excited to learn and read… I have not had to teach from the ground up…. I started when my oldest daughter was in 2nd grade.. so alot of the basics were already taught to her.

Cristy On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:05 am

No kids for me… yet. However, this is pretty interesting stuff. I like to have all perspectives available before my time comes. Also, I wonder if I’m related to this Sarah Buffington gal. We share a totally random last name.

Thank you for adding this homeschooling section! My husband and I decided a while ago that homeschooling isn’t for us, but we really Really REALLY want to make school more of a supplement to what happens at home, which basically means I need to learn how to homeschool even if we’re not a homeschooling family We also live in a very itty bitty home, so small but effective is just what we’re looking for. We’ll be ordering this book

Oh, and I’m with you on the spiral binding thing. I teach in church and I play the piano, and spiral binding makes my heart sing, let me tell ya.

Thanks so much for the great post! I taught my kids to read when they were interested and they ended up reading fairly early.What age did your kids start learning to read? Thanks again for your great posts-I love them!

Oh my goodness, thank you, Ree, for this post. I am going to order this right away. I didn’t realize they had this one out there. I love their language programs and now our youngest dd is starting to want to learn how to read. YaY…I’m so excited! This post came at the perfect time!

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Julie K. On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:14 am

I have not bought any manuals for teaching my kids to read. The older two caught on to sounding out letters very easily and now read years ahead of their grade levels. My 3rd daughter however is not catching on, so I might just have to get something to help us out here. Is this text like the 100 Ways to teach your kids to read book (or a title like that?!) This child would rather memorize words than sound them out!

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Susan On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:16 am

Thank you for this review/recommendation! I’m going to look for this book.

And actually, I would look forward to the study of: “Your Pancreas and You: A Study in Vital Organs.” But then again, I work in the healthcare field, so that might explain the interest.

What a great service you’re doing, Ree, with this homeschooling blog! If and when you get to the teaching of math facts, I’ve got a great resource for you.

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farmwifetwo On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:36 am

My boys are 9 (NLD), 7 (severe, non-verbal PDD) and the Therapists and Teachers will tell you it’s VERY difficult to teach a child to read. They will also tell you that THEY are the one’s that have taught these children. Only professionals are trained to teach children.

I taught them to read, write, spell and do math. It’s no difficult to do. I have also homeschooled these children. Nothing comes home extra for them.

Which is why the school is having to keep up with them… not the other way around.

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Mom7 On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:43 am

Amy-Yes it is very helpful for homeschooling children to read well. First they learn to read then they read to learn. I taught all seven of my kids to read,and though it was time consuming and sometimes frustrating, it freed me a great deal over time. You must keep in mind different learning styles. My first child wanted to discuss every word. Today he is studying areonautical engineering. My daughter was a sight reader and after 2 years of phonics(with little progress) learned to read very quickly with a look-say method.Go figure. #3 studied phonics but learned to read well by reading biographies and historical fiction. Currently he is studying history and political science. #4 sat on my lap when she was three listening to the other kids during drill time. She learned to read early, and it is hard now to keep her in books. I used Abeka phonics with all the rest and really liked it. Children who don’t like to read can learn to like it if we read great books to them. Sometimes they are distracted by video games and entertainment.

We just have the old Little House on the Prairie era McGuffy readers and that’s what our kids read from for their school reading lessons. On top of that they also set goals to read about 30 other books (or chapters if it is a chapter book) of their choice for the Pizza Hut Book It program which is available to homeschoolers as well as public school classes. It’s really fun when they watch an episode of Little House and a kid on the show is asked read from their reader and it is a lesson that my kids have already done and recognize.

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Christina On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:52 am

I have not heard of this book. We are using 100 easy lessons and it seems to work well. Is your book similar? Yours sounds newer and therefore easier to find. Hey, I like that you are actually blogging about homeschooling. It is not very often that you do that. Usually it is a friend of yours blogging about homeschooling on your site… a bit tricky I think. …

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Celeste On Tuesday, January 13 at 11:58 am

Thank you so much for this post!! I have an early reader who is in the public school system. Because she is ahead, an area she misses in the curriculum is phonics. I have been looking for simple phonics material to supplement at home. I have just ordered this book. Thanks again. Happy Tuesday!

we have that book. Found out about it from reading A Well Trained Mind. We have not started it yet though

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Betty On Tuesday, January 13 at 12:25 pm

Thank you for this post! My daughter started homeschooling her oldest girl this fall. I’ll be picking this book up for my daughter as soon as I can.

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OK Kellie On Tuesday, January 13 at 12:35 pm

Wish I’d had some better “schooling” about HS sources when my kids were young and I HS’d them. Less stress would have been nice.

My son didn’t read decently until he was about 9. He was majorly ADD and just wouldn’t, and at some level couldn’t, keep his mind focused to discipline his way through it – until he got hooked on Charlie Brown comic books. As a senior he was reading and LOVING the works of Milton, Shakespeare, C. S. Lewis, etc., and he’s now majoring in English with a design graphics while working on his first novel (we’ll see how that goes, but it’s 75 pages and very interesting, he’s designed a web page to go with it with character illustrations and background music that he orchestrated on his digital piano – of course, I’m a prejudiced mom)… I love God’s sense of humor in all this!

My daughter’s in her first year of college and planning to be a plastic surgeon… I’m encouraging her a great deal… LOL

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Moosh On Tuesday, January 13 at 12:38 pm

I’m currently teaching my third child to read. I used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons for Zoe and am using it now with Lexi. It’s a cheap paperback book (black and white), and it is phenomenal. It is effective for teaching your young readers as well as children with developmental disabilities. Completing the program puts your child at about a second grade reading level. For my son, who was less interested in sitting down with me and the book, I used an online evidence-based reading program called “Headsprout.” In 80 lessons, Zach learned to read, and he thought he was just playing on the computer. The lessons are so fun and engaging.
I am a firm believer that parents should teach their children to read before school. You feel triumphant as a parent – like when you potty trained your child - and you never know what kind of teacher or class your child will have. Giving them the skills to read will help them be successful and avoid early anxiety in school.

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Melissa On Tuesday, January 13 at 1:04 pm

As a former elementary education major, it’s always bothered me how early childhood professionals and the school system deem skills as “age-appropriate.” It’s not just age; maturity, motivation, and natural ability all play a part in when a child is ready to learn something. Good for you for not just following along with traditional “wisdom.”

We use this book too and I, like you, recommend it to anyone who will listen.

My only regret is that I didn’t find it before my oldest learned to read at school. Because it wasn’t a true, phonics based system her spelling is beyond horrific and she has no patience for sounding words out. She’s an excellent reader because she has memorized a whole mess of words and she enjoys reading, but my younger son, who learned to read with this book, is legions ahead of her already.

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Joanna (Charlotte, NC) On Tuesday, January 13 at 1:17 pm

that looks like a good one!

i hated “100 easy lessons”. we were an Alphaphonics family… talk about bare bones! this plus lots of reading out loud gave me 4 terrific readers! they sell CD’s and other fluff, but we just used the reader:

Hi Ree,
We have 4 children and they all have learned to read differently. Our oldest has developmental dyslexia and in second grade still couldn’t read. The schools didn’t teach any phonics where we lived and the poor kid couldn’t retain everything she was trying to remember. We taught her with old Dick and Jane books.
All kids learn at different paces and even if they are 3 or 6 and reading or not they are learning words and meanings and how to communicate with the world around them.
Thank you for adding homeschooling to your website. You have given many of us great ideas.

Find the Pioneer Woman on:

Charlie has a brand new children's book out, and it's all about the day a new calf comes into the world! She sleeps in Charlie's bed, hogs all the attention...and hilarity ensues. Hope you and your kiddos enjoy the book!